Hi there. Question about Islam :)

Hi there. I am active on BBC and have been for a while (and pretty addicted, I must say). I am a Christian, and I LOVE studying other religions. However, I cannot seem to wrap my brain around Islam. I am learning, but I would love to ask what are the basis of your beliefs? With all the crazy turmoil out there, I would love to get a loving, truthful answer straight from the peaceful people within this belief system. I don't have a particular question, because I don't know enough to ask. But I've heard crazy things on both sides and now I'm super interested. I've read some things and would just love to get some information. TIA!

ETA: I thought of a question. :) Were you born into Islam or were some of you converts? If so, what did you convert from and what brought you to Islam?

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1 Corinthians 13:13, "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Comments (55)

The foundation of our belief is that we believe in one God and we do not associate any partners with Him. We also believe in all the prophets (Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc...). We believe the Prophet Mohamed was the final messenger sent from God to bring His message to earth. We pray 5 times a day, fast for one month out of the year (sun up to sun down) for Ramadan, give charity and perform hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Again, just the basics here.....

some similarities to Christianity....We believe Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a righteous life and brought the the message of love...we believe God gave the Torah to Moses, Psalms to David, the Gospel to Jesus and the Quran to Mohamed.

The main difference is that we do not believe Jesus is God, but a prophet of God.

I am a born Muslim. The basis of our beliefs is that there is no God except Allah and that Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) is the last messenger. We believe that Jesus (Peace be upon him) was a Prophet and not the son of God. We also believe in angels, all the heavenly books that were revealed to the Prophets in their original text and the divine decree- good or bad.

There are many knowledgeable women here, i am sure they will be able to answer your question in more detail. :)

The basic tenants of belief have already been mentioned by my previous posting sisters so I won't do it again. I will, however, give a bit of insight as a convert...

I have been Muslim for nearly 14 years now. I was born and raised Christian (no particular sect but we attended Baptist and Lutheran churches while I was growing up). I guess for me, Christianity just never "felt" right even as a child...it is kind of difficult for me to explain it (and pregnancy brain REALLY doesn't help right now ). I come from small rural towns in the midwest, so the only religion I ever knew was Christianity. After graduating high school, I moved to a more diverse town and began working with a whole slew of immigrants...Vietnames and Iraqis being the majority of hireds at this particular job. I have always been interested in other cultures and religions so I asked a lot of questions from both. This was my introduction into Islam and I was intrigued from the very start. I started reading books and watching films about it. I was impressed with the simplicity and honesty of the religion. In my days as a Christian, I have found many discrepencies and contradictions within the Bible and the practice that really put me at unease. Islam didn't have that...everything was tied together and fit perfectly with no contradiction. I converted a year after I started studying about the religion. Since then, I have delved into studying the monotheistic 3 (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) to discover the similarities/dissimilarities among the three...one must really delve into the HISTORY of all three to get to the truth and the truth is, they are all the one and same if they are all practised the way they were meant to be practiced (before the innovations of man were introduced into the religions).

The other sisters have given excellent answers, MashaAllah and I am ITA :)

I was a Buddhist before I became Muslim in 2002, Alhamdulillah :)

I think in *some* ways it was harder for me to come to Islam (and to also believe in Judaism, and Christianity as well since we Muslims believe in them) than it can be for Jews or Christians who come to Islam. Well.. actually I should say I had different struggles coming to Islam than Jews or Christians would have.

At the beginning I had a pretty hard time believing in angels, and thought that God's prophets, messengers and their miracles were all just made up stories since I did not come from a religion that believed in these things.

I also struggled a whole lot with believing in heaven and hell because I strongly believed in reincarnation. I still wonder about the memories that some children report to have about a deceased person's life. I just now think there must be another explanation rather than reincarnation.

For the Jews and the Christians, they already believe in prophets, messengers, and heaven and hell... just they don't agree on other aspects.

Just in case you are interested, if any of your questions concern culture vs. Islam, or if you don't know what cultural practices are advertised as part of Islam by non-Muslims, and sadly some shameful Muslims, you can read some blog posts I wrote a while back... I warn you though... they are pretty long LOL

as was stated previously, Islam is an Abrahamic religion (stems from Abraham). we believe that Ishmael was the son that Abraham was ordered to sacrifice (as opposed to Isaac in Christianity and Judaism). we believe in the prophets of Abrahamic religions, adding prophet Muhammed (pbuh) after Isa (Jesus). we believe that Isa (Jesus) was born a virgin birth and ascended into heaven (although we do not believe he was crucified). Muslims believe that Isa (Jesus) will return (as the messiah) like Christians believe.

what issues are you having trouble with that we can insh'allah (God willing) help you to understand?

oh - and i am a convert (revert) to Islam al hamdulilah (praise be to God). i was raised united methodist and attended an episcopal school.

First of all, glad to see you are here. It is always nice to have people willing to find out more about something they don't know much about, especially when there is so much hate in the world today. Please feel free to PM me if you want to talk further! I am a convert and from Ohio. I converted about 2 1/2 years ago. It wasn't for a man or anything, it was on my own. Then I ended up meeting my husband about 6 months later and we got married, and he is the most amazing man I know!

My conversion story is a bit lengthy, but basically I was searching for "something", and I just couldn't find the answers in the religion I was brought up with, Christianity. I started to attend church regularly, checked out other churches and denominations, but it just didn't feel like enough, I needed more. Something was missing. I spent hours flipping through religion books at the library, studying all religions. I eventually came accross Islam, and although I had so much hate toward it because of how I was brought up, it started to really make a lot of sense! I always felt compelled to pray to God himself, and I was confused to why we had to pray to Jesus, even as a small child.

Islam is simple. We don't worship idols/statues, the Prophet Muhammed, Jesus, the kaaba, a black stone, pigs, cows, or other animals, the sun or the moon; we only worship One God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. We call him "Allah", this is also close to how "God" sounds in Aramaic (Jesus language) and Hebrew. Also with a special, divine name, this singles the Almighty out from anything else. For example, I find God with a capital G to be a very generic term, because you could be referring to an idolatrous "god", gods, or godesses. This eliminates the confusion because no one or nothing else can be named Allah.

We believe that all the Prophets came to preach the same message: to worship One God and don't associate any partners with him. We believe that the Bible was originally the Word Of God, but it was changed, added to and altered over time by men to fit certain political agendas and the like. There's the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Quran is the Final Testament, as revealed to Prophet Muhammed. The Quran contains the original message as was revealed over 1400 years ago, it has not been changed, and there is only one "version" of it. It is the final "manual" for all of mankind, it doesn't just apply to a certain people. It encouraged man to free slaves and abolish slavery, it discourages racism, it gives women their rights, and it does not contain a single violent verse (except those relating to self-defense), despite what Islam haters will probably tell you :p

Cleanliness is a big part of Islam. We wash ourselves with water before every prayer, and after we use the toilet. We don't eat meat that has not been slaughtered in the name of God, or from an animal that had a violent ending, such as being strangled or abused in any other way. Our method of slaughter is called "halal" and it is similar to the Jewish law of "kosher". We also don't eat pork because God tells us in the Quran (and in the Old Testament too) that it is not clean for us to eat because the pig is a dirty animal. We also don't drink, we don't gamble, we don't date, court or dance; we pray (worship) 5 times a day, we fast for one whole month during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan; and we take pleasure in being a charitable people.

Some examples of women's rights in Islam:

Spiritual Equality of Women and Men Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah. (Al-Ahzab 33:35)

Attitudes towards women O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good. (An-Nisa 4:19)

Collaboration and consultation The believing men and women, are associates and helpers of each other. They (collaborate) to promote all that is beneficial and discourage all that is evil; to establish prayers and give alms, and to obey Allah and his Messenger. Those are the people whom Allah would grant mercy. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise. (Al-Taubah 9:71)

Examples of Consensual Decision Making If both spouses decide, by mutual consent and consultation, on weaning [their baby], there is no blame on either. If you want to have your babies breastfed by a foster mother you are not doing anything blame-worthy provided you pay to the fostermother what you had agreed to offer, in accordance with the established manner. Fear Allah and know that Allah is aware it what you are doing". (Al-Baqarah, 2:233)

Women's Right to Attend Mosques Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Allow women to go to the Mosques at night." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 22)

Narrated Ibn Umar: One of the wives of Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, "What prevents him from stopping me from this act?" The other replied, "The statement of Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) : 'Do not stop Allah's women-slave from going to Allah s Mosques' prevents him." (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23)

Ibn 'Umar reported: Grant permission to women for going to the mosque in the night. His son who was called Waqid said: Then they would make mischief. He (the narrator) said: He thumped his (son's) chest and said: I am narrating to you the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and you say: No! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0890)

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Do not deprive women of their share of the mosques, when they seek permission from you. Bilal said: By Allah, we would certainly prevent them. 'Abdullah said: I say that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said it and you say: We would certainly prevent them! (Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 0891)

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Atika bint Zayd ibn Amr ibn Nufayl, the wife of Umar ibn al-Khattab, used to ask Umar ibn al-Khattab for permission to go to the mosque. He would keep silent, so she would say, "By Allah, I will go out, unless you forbid me," and he would not forbid her. (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 14.5.14)

The Common Performance of Ablutions Narrated Ibn Umar: "It used to be that men and women would perform ablutions together in the time of the Messenger of Allah's assembly." (Bukhari: 1: Ch. 45, Book of Ablution)

Women's Right of Proposal Narrated Sahl: A woman came to the Prophet, and presented herself to him (for marriage). He said, "I am not in need of women these days." Then a man said, "O Allah's Apostle! Marry her to me." The Prophet asked him, "What have you got?" He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet said, "Give her something, even an iron ring." He said, "I have got nothing." The Prophet asked (him), "How much of the Quran do you know (by heart)?" He said, "So much and so much." The Prophet said, "I have married her to you for what you know of the Quran." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 72)

Women's Right of Permission Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A matron should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after her permission." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! How can we know her permission?" He said, "Her silence (indicates her permission)." (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 67)

Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya that her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's Apostle and he declared that marriage invalid. (Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 69)

The Right of Women not to be Forced Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Barira's husband was a slave called Mughith, as if I am seeing him now, going behind Barira and weeping with his tears flowing down his beard. The Prophet said to 'Abbas, "O 'Abbas ! are you not astonished at the love of Mughith for Barira and the hatred of Barira for Mughith?" The Prophet then said to Barira, "Why don't you return to him?" She said, "O Allah's Apostle! Do you order me to do so?" He said, "No, I only intercede for him." She said, "I am not in need of him." (Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 63, Number 206)

Asserting Women's Rights Ibn Al-Jauzi narrated the virtues and merits of Umar bin Al-Khattab (Allah bless him) in the following words: Umar forbade the people from paying excessive dowries and addressed them saying: "Don't fix the dowries for women over forty ounces. If ever that is exceeded I shall deposit the excess amount in the public treasury". As he descended from the pulpit, a flat-nosed lady stood up from among the women audience, and said: "It is not within your right". Umar asked: "Why should this not be of my right?" she replied: "Because Allah has proclaimed: 'even if you had given one of them (wives) a whole treasure for dowry take not the least bit back. Would you take it by false claim and a manifest sin'". (Al Nisa, 20). When he heard this, Umar said: "The woman is right and the man (Umar) is wrong. It seems that all people have deeper insight and wisdom than Umar". Then he returned to the pulpit and declared: "O people, I had restricted the giving of more than four hundred dirhams in dowry. Whosoever of you wishes to give in dowry as much as he likes and finds satisfaction in so doing may do so". quoted in: "On the Position and Role of Women in Islam and Islamic Society"

Seeking advice and comfort Narrated 'Aisha (the mother of the faithful believers): ... Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones." Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza ... (Bukhari Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3)

The Characteristics of a Believing Man Narrated AbuHurayrah: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: a believing man should not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3469)

The Education of Women Narrated Abu Said: A woman came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allah has taught you." Allah's Apostle said, "Gather on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place." They gathered and Allah's Apostle came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him. (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 92, Number 413)

On the Treatment of Women Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) and asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 11, Number 2139) "The best of you is one who is best towards his family and I am best towards the family". (At-Tirmithy). "None but a noble man treats women in an honourable manner. And none but an ignoble treats women disgracefully". (At-Tirmithy).

A Husband must keep the Privacy of his Wife Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri: Allah's Messenger (peace_be_upon_him) said: The most wicked among the people in the eye of Allah on the Day of Judgement is the man who goes to his wife and she comes to him, and then he divulges her secret. (Muslim Book 8, Number 3369)

A Husband's Attitude 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said that a man came to his house to complain about his wife. On reaching the door of his house, he hears 'Umar's wife shouting at him and reviling him. Seeing this, he was about to go back, thinking that 'Umar himself was in the same position and, therefore, could hardly suggest any solution for his problem. 'Umar (RA) saw the man turn back, so he called him and enquired about the purpose of his visit. He said that he had come with a complaint against his wife, but turned back on seeing the Caliph in the same position. 'Umar (RA) told him that he tolerated the excesses of his wife for she had certain rights against him. He said, "Is it not true that she prepares food for me, washes clothes for me and suckles my children, thus saving me the expense of employing a cook, a washerman and a nurse, though she is not legally obliged in any way to do any of these things? Besides, I enjoy peace of mind because of her and am kept away from indecent acts on account of her. I therefore tolerate all her excesses on account of these benefits. It is right that you should also adopt the same attitude." quoted in Rahman, Role of Muslim Women page 149

The Prophet's Disapproval of Women Beaters Patient behavior was the practice of the Prophet, even when his wife dared to address him harshly. Once his mother-in-law- saw her daughter strike him with her fist on his noble chest. When the enraged mother -in-law began to reproach her daughter, the Prophet smilingly said, "Leave her alone; they do worse than that." And once Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was invited to settle some misunderstanding between him and Aishah. The Prophet said to her, "Will you speak, or shall I speak?" Aisha said, "You speak, but do not say except the truth." Abu Bakr was so outraged that he immediately struck her severely, forcing her to run and seek protection behind the back of the Prophet. Abu Bakr said, "O you the enemy of herself! Does the Messenger of Allah say but the truth?" The Prophet said, "O Abu Bakr, we did not invite you for this [harsh dealing with Aishah], nor did we anticipate it."

Our way of life is also simple. We submit ourselves in worship to The Creator 5 times a day minimum. This prayer consists of bowing and prostrating, just as the Prophets all prayer to God in the Bible. This is different than just talking to God or asking Him for guidance (I'm sure this is the kind of prayer you are familiar with)...although we can also do that any time of the day or anywhere we want.

WOW! Thank you all so much for your responses! This is so interesting. And, I have to say that the genuiness and love that you all exhibit toward one another could be a lesson to so many people. What are some common questions that you receive from people who don't understand what you believe? Have you ever experienced any type of discrimination for your beliefs? Thanks again. You are all so wonderful. :)

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1 Corinthians 13:13, "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."